Women's basketball facts for kids
Women's basketball is a popular sport played by women. The basic rules are very similar to men's basketball, but there are a few differences, like the size of the ball. This sport is very popular in colleges and universities, and there are also professional leagues.
Contents
How Women's Basketball Rules Are Different
While women's basketball is much like men's, some rules are slightly changed to fit the game better for women.
Basketball Size
The basketball used in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) is a bit smaller than the one used in the NBA (National Basketball Association). It measures at least 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) around. This is about 1 inch (2.54 cm) smaller than the men's NBA ball. Since 2004, this smaller size has been used in all professional women's games worldwide.
Court Lines
The three-point line is a special line on the court. If a player shoots the ball from behind this line and scores, they get three points instead of two. In WNBA games, this line is 20 feet and 6.25 inches (6.25 m) from the center of the basket. Also, there is no special "block/charge" arc directly under the basket in women's professional games.
Shot Clock Rules
The shot clock is a timer that makes sure teams shoot the ball within a certain amount of time. This keeps the game moving fast. In the WNBA, teams have 24 seconds to shoot. In women's NCAA college basketball, they have 30 seconds. Men's basketball usually uses a 24-second shot clock.
Game Length
Basketball games are usually divided into halves or quarters. WNBA games are played in four 10-minute quarters. This means a full game is 40 minutes of playing time, not including breaks.
Top Leagues and Competitions
Women's basketball is played at many different levels, from college teams to professional leagues.
College Basketball
Women's basketball is very popular in colleges across North America. Many college teams compete in exciting tournaments. The biggest competition is organized by a group called the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). The team that wins this tournament is called the 'national champion'. For example, the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers were the national champions in the 2007-08 season.
American Professional Leagues
Over the years, several professional women's basketball leagues have been created in the United States.
Women's Pro Basketball League
The Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) was the first professional women's basketball league in the U.S. It played for three seasons, from 1978 to 1981.
Women's Basketball Association
The Women's Basketball Association (WBA) was another professional league that played during the summer months. It ran for three seasons, from 1993 to 1995.
American Basketball League
The American Basketball League (ABL) started in 1996. People became more interested in basketball after the Olympics. The ABL played for two full seasons and part of a third before it closed in 1998.
Women's National Basketball Association
The WNBA is the main professional women's basketball league in the United States today. It was started in 1996 and is connected to the men's NBA. Many talented players from around the world play in the WNBA.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
A player from Webber International (black jersey) attempts a free throw against Stetson University (white jerseys). November 30, 2018.
-
University of California-Berkeley women's basketball team, photographed in 1899.
-
Freshman Women's Basketball Team - 1914.
-
Arctic Sisterhood women's basketball team in Nome Alaska circa 1908.
-
Australia women's national basketball team celebrating their win at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
-
Smith College's class of 1902 women's basketball team.
.jpeg)
See also
In Spanish: Baloncesto femenino para niños
